Liberal and Leftist Parties Defy Slovenian Voters on Same-sex Partnerships - Time for the Voter to React!

The Same-sex Partnership Act which was passed by Parliament in April, 2016, defying the will of the vast majority of Slovenian voters in two referendums on the same issue, has now become law.

The first referendum to legalise same-sex partnership, in 2012, was defeated by a margin of 55%-45%. The second referendum on same-sex "marriage", in December, 2015, was defeated by an even bigger margin of 63.5%-36.5%.

And so, it was clear from these recent referendums that, for a variety of reasons, the Slovenian people did not wish to legalise same-sex marriage or partnerships.

Nevertheless, the ruling government coalition, composed of the SMC, DeSUS and SD parties, arrogantly chose to continue to pursue same-sex partnerships, and in April, 2016, voted to pass yet another same-sex Partnership Bill (below, see which parties and MPs voted to defy the Slovenian voter).

The ruling coalition presumably knew that this Bill would be challenged, as had their (Parliament's) previous attempt -- which, resulted in the aforementioned 2015 referendum defeat.

Indeed, the Bill was challenged. But, this time, the Government had a plan to ensure that the will of the Slovenian people on this matter would be defied.

The plan was simple, but effective: the President of the National Assembly, SMC Member, Milan Brglez, dramatically denied the legitimate right of petitioners to challenge this Bill by another referendum, claiming that it would be an abuse of the referendum laws.

But, his logic doesn't follow.

No, for by voting on this matter for a third time, all the while knowing that it would be challenged by the Slovenian people, it is the Coalition Government who sought to draw themselves into conflict with the vast majority of Slovenian voters on this matter.

And then, an obliging Court played along, effectively scuppering the chance for a third referendum.

But, the fact that neither Parliament nor the Court would do their jobs - and, vindicate the people's will in this matter - does not make any of this moral or justifiable.

Parliament, in any democratic society, works for the people, to enact the will of the people and to protect the common good of society. The Coalition Government - a band of new liberals and old leftists - failed on both counts.

And so, now, like with all political decisions, there must be consequences; otherwise, politicians will not respect the voter, or democracy, itself.

Therefore, this petition asks signers to do two things:

1) In the next parliamentary elections (latest 2018), the signers pledge not to vote for any of the parties which voted (as a block) for the current Partnership Bill. Specifically, they pledge not to vote for candidates of the following parties: 1) SMC - Stranka Modernega Centra; 2) DeSUS - Demokratična Stranka Upokojencev Slovenije; 3) SD - Socialni Demokrati; and, or 4) ZL - Združena Levica. And, I will be telling my likeminded friends, family and colleagues to consider their vote in the same light.

2) After new parliamentary elections, the signers ask any new government, formed (latest) in 2018, to support the natural family, in law, and to prohibit the promotion, by the state (in schools, for example), of any other such family arrangement than that of the natural family. If that requires a referendum, then they ask the new government to allow for such a referendum.

The Same-sex Partnership Act which was passed by Parliament in April, 2016, defying the will of the vast majority of Slovenian voters in two referendums on the same issue, has now become law.

The first referendum to legalise same-sex partnership, in 2012, was defeated by a margin of 55%-45%. The second referendum on same-sex "marriage", in December, 2015, was defeated by a huge margin of 63.5%-36.5%.

Nevertheless, the ruling government coalition, composed of the SMC, DeSUS and SD parties, arrogantly chose to continue to pursue same-sex partnerships, and in April, 2016, voted to pass yet another same-sex Partnership Bill.

And, probably because they knew they would lose a third time if brought to the people in a third referendum, the President of the National Assembly, SMC Member Milan Brglez, then dramatically denied the legitimate right of petitioners to challenge this Act by another referendum, claiming that it would be an abuse of the referendum laws.

But, that logic doesn't follow.

Rather, it is the ruling coalition which, voting on this matter for a third time, all the while knowing that it would be challenged by the Slovenian people...it is they - the Coalition - who sought to draw themselves into conflict with the vast majority of Slovenian voters on this matter. And, the Court played along.

But, the fact that neither the Parliament nor the Court would do their jobs - and, vindicate the people's will in this matter - does not make any of this moral or justifiable.

And so, now, like with all political decisions, there must be consequences.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, are pledging not to vote for any of the parties which voted (en masse) for the current Partnership Bill in our next national elections (latest 2018). Specifically, I will not be voting for candidates of the following parties: 1) SMC - Stranka Modernega Centra; 2) DeSUS - Demokratična Stranka Upokojencev Slovenije; 3) SD - Socialni Demokrati; and, or 4) ZL - Združena Levica. And, I will be telling my likeminded friends, family and colleagues to consider their vote in the same light.

Second, I call on any new government, formed (latest) in 2018, to support the natural family in law, and to prohibit the promotion, by the state (in schools, for example) of any other such family arrangement than that of the natural family. If that requires a referendum, then I ask the new government to allow such a referendum.

Sincerely,[Your Name]

Liberal and Leftist Parties Defy Slovenian Voters on Same-sex Partnerships - Time for the Voter to React!